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.(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

R. BRUZON.

BOOT 0R SHOE. No 474,574. Patented May 10, 1892.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2, R. BRUZON. BOOT OR SHOE (No Model.)

No. 474,574. Patented May 10, 1892.

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*rnn STATES RICHARD BRUZON, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

BOOT OR SHOE.

$PECIFIOATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 474,574, dated May 10, 1892.

Application filed January 9, 1892. Serial No. 417,466- (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RICHARD BRUZON, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at 200 Green Lanes, Finsbury Park, London, in the county of Middlesex, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boots or Shoes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,

. and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled-in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

In a boot or shoe as ordinarily constructed the whole of the upper-leather or top is either in one piece or is composed of two or more pieces sewed together, so as to form a practically continuous surface, except at the opening provided for the insertion of the foot and for securing the boot to the foot when i11- serted. The upperleather or top so constructed is sewed or riveted to the sole,which practically forms one continuous piece from one end to the other of the boot.

This invention for improvements in boots or shoes has for its object to provide a divided boot or shoe in which the back part may be joined onto the front part by means of a hinge fixed upon the sole and admitting of the said back part being swung backward for the purpose of inserting the foot into the front lodgment of the vamp and of the said back part being swung forward again, thus bringing the whole length of the sole to its normal horizontal position and enabling the divisory edges of the back and front parts to come together for the purpose of interfasten-' ing. Either of the two parts of a boot or shoe so constructed is quickly detachable from the other and is capable of quick attachment to a variety of corresponding front or back parts of similar size. In the case of elastic side-spring boots or shoes I construct such boots or shoes with undivided up per parts, the rotary action of the hinge on the divided sole permitting of the back part of the boot or shoe being swung backward and forward, as hereinbefore described. Boots or shoes so constructed are especially adaptable for the feet of persons afflicted with corns or which are otherwise tender.

In the accompanying two sheets of illustrative drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a laced boot constructed according to this invention; and Fig. 2 is also a side elevation of the same, showing the back part rotated around the hinge to permit of the insertion of the foot of the wearer. Fig. 3 is an inverted plan, and Fig. 4 a right plan, of the sole, showing the hinge-fixing. Fig. 5 is a back elevation or the front part of the boot, the back part being removed; and Figs. 6 and 7 are side elevations of boots with side buttons and laces, respectively, the soles being hinged similarly to those shown in Figs. 1 to 5. Fig. 8 is a side view of a low shoe constructed according to this invention.

In the arrangements shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, the boot is made in two parts, the front part a and the back part I) being attached together by a hinged joint 0, fixed to the sole d, preferably at the waist, as shown.

In Figs. 1 and 2 bands or straps e are se cured at their ends to the front part, and through the openings or loops thus formed are passed the tongues f, which are then laced in the ordinary manner. The insole g is carried back through the whole length of the inside of the boot and is curved and elevated at the point of division of the outer sole to form a firm bearing for the upper-leathers an d to protect the footfrom cold and moisture.

The two halves of the hinge c are secured, respectively, to the two parts of the sole d by rivets or screws or otherwise, and are made either quickly detachable or non-detachable, accordingly as the pin his removable or fixed. The laces are secured to the vamp at i, which, together with the bands 6, secure the vamp or front part and the back part closely together. The bands 6 and gap we may, however, be dispensed with, the lacing being continued unbroken up the lapels or tongues from the bottom to the top.

To insert the foot, the laces being unfastened, the back I) is rotated downward, permittin g of the easy insertion of the foot in the fore part a, the back part Z1 being then returned to its normal position and the two parts fastened together.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a shoe with elastic springs, the dotted lines indicating the back part depressed for the insertion of the foot of the wearer.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with the front part of a boot or shoe, of a detachable and depressible rear part, hinge-plates secured to the said front and rear parts and provided with a removable pivot-pin, and an insole secured to the front part and provided with an elevated curved portion over the said hinged plates, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the front part of 1 a boot or shoe, of a depressible rear part, pivoted hinge-plates connecting the said front and rear parts, and an insole secured to the front part and projecting the Whole length of the rear part and provided with an elevated curved portion over the said pivoted plates, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the front part of a boot or shoe provided with loops 6, of a depressible rear part provided with tongues f, adapted to pass through the said loops, pivotedhinge-platesconnectingthesaid front and rear parts, an insole secured to the front part and provided with an elevated curved portion over the said hinge-plates, and a lace for securing the said tongues, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD BRUZON. Witnesses:

T. J. OSMAN, J OSEPH LAKE, Both 0f 17 Grdcechurch Street, London, E. O. 

